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Ballpoint 246niner

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Everything posted by Ballpoint 246niner

  1. Ballpoint 246niner
  2. Ballpoint 246niner
    Good thoughts from everyone, and glad to hear that there's a fair amount of committment to continued learning. I recall in the 70's the typical aero club, at least the one I flew at, used to have flower bombing, streamer cutting, spot landing and of course aerobatics as part of the monthly club barbie w'end. Now with the rules that we all fly under, particularly in RA -Aus it has very restricted practices on these sort of things, and that's Ok... but because of this it's very easy to become "pot bound"( excuse the anology- No drug testing required!!), and the "sharpening of the saw" is harder to achieve. I do a lot of BFR's and am amazed when I ask for a HASSELL check to be done, the creative answers I get, and comments like "it's been a long time since I've done one of these...." and so on. Our Aeroclub past president has just written an excellent article in the newsletter on EFIC procedures, which we and all schools, I'm sure teach thoroughly, but when was the last time you actually forced yourself to glide from somewhere in cct other than when it's a shoe in on base? The RA-Aus website has a comprehensive breakdown on current accident trends and the news is not great- anything we can do ourselves to increase our skills and therefore our chances has to be good.... Keep the conversation coming.
  3. Ballpoint 246niner
  4. Ballpoint 246niner
    Ok so you've got a shiny ticket now with more than just a few letters on it and the logbook doesn't look like it just came off the printer. You fly generally each month and more when normal life doesn't get in the way..... So how much have you really improved your flying since the instructor got out? Can you hold a level turn within 100', maintain a glide at say 500fpm to a target point, see every aircraft you hear in the vicinity, nail the piano keys, fly at nominated airspeed without grinding your eyes at the ASI???? Let's share some experience about how much you are a self aware learning being, constantly aiming to be better- remember the old saying" If you're not going forwards then you are condemned to go backwards...."
  5. Ballpoint 246niner
    Nice one flyme! Grab a copy of Rob Woodward's "Catch the wind" if you can- it's available through aNZ book distributor these days circa 1976- it captures the very romance of early hang gliding and was a huge catalyst for me to move over from years of gliding as a teenager when I moved to Sydney in the early eighties. The aviation flame burns forever in the true aviator and no matter what we fly we all share a similiar passion. Great story!
  6. Ballpoint 246niner
    Great people there who did a fantastic job helping people out in the Lockyer during the floods, John is building a beautiful new home in stage 2 .we love droppimg in there too.
  7. Ballpoint 246niner
    Thanks Puk, I'll russle up all the pilots I I can, it does clash with the moto GP weekend at PI that I'm committed to go to. But maybe the weekend before??
  8. Ballpoint 246niner
    This information is covered in the ops manual online on the RA Aus website under"flight crew" and is covered by the converting applicant forn. I am in the process of training a converting glider pilot at present and assuming you are beyond GFA solo standard the process should be relatively painless and fun. See you chosen RA school and they'll get you on your way. Good luck.
  9. Ballpoint 246niner
    Apparently the aircraft went into some form of Cata- batics:roflmao:
  10. Ballpoint 246niner
    I have a very simple mantra I teach students, The three C's...... Correct operation and assembly-- is it the way it should be? Condition. -- is it safe and per manufacturer standard? Change-- has it changed since last time I checked it? Remember assume there is something wrong with the aircraft, thoroughly , uninterrupted and patiently try to find what's wrong-- if you can,t find anything then it's been checked ok for flight.
  11. Ballpoint 246niner
    What a chance to catch up with old friends,and as you say Puk a great venue so close to heaps of Savannah owners, I don't know if my liver can handle getting back in the loop - oh well you only live once as they say!
  12. Ballpoint 246niner
    "sunset" damn the auto complete!!!!
  13. Ballpoint 246niner
    G'day Haydn, did your endorsements get processed mate? We had a beautiful Savannah sunstroke this afternoon at Caboolture. Hope you've got all the inspiration you need now to forge ahead with your build. Cheers for now.
  14. Ballpoint 246niner
    The Tweto' s are one crazy Alaskan family, I take my hat off to all their pilots, would love to go work there, I love the cold country. Great entertainment.
  15. Ballpoint 246niner
    Hey Scotty , I used to be a member of Tarmac back in the 80,s when they were north of town- small world. And when Tamworth gliding club amalgamated with NESC to become Lake Keepit I did one of the last ferry's of the blanik into the old Somerton strip next to the racecourse. Is it still there. My sister has just moved there and I was hoping a strip was closeby. My Sav is good for 150m with clear approaches in and out. Are you outside the CTA?I'll keep in touch.
  16. Ballpoint 246niner
    Yes Tomo Monto, Longreach, and then AusFly, yes mate, I think a vote with our attendance may be the answer, actions speak louder than words.... Nice shots too.... Perrrrrfect weather this week.
  17. Ballpoint 246niner
    The full coroners report is quite a read, worth looking at and on public record for anyone interested.
  18. Ballpoint 246niner
    The great thing about Rotax( certified or not) is they built their design weakness in their sprag clutch- this is great because when it fails the engine won't start so no EF and when its on the way out it groans real load to let you know in advance. Just the sort of weakness you want in an imperfect world I reckon.....
  19. Ballpoint 246niner
    You're spot on David, politics was never my strong point but any board and it's representative majority, and or staff in conflict is a recipe for disaster. No argument there..... Neil
  20. Ballpoint 246niner
    If after 100 years or more of flight we don't know what causes pilots to pay the ultimate price then, blaming RA Aus operatives, ATSB , or CASA is surely just a deflection of the real problem. If your waiting for a report or publication to create an epiphany in your understanding of what causes accidents whether, EFATO! EFIC, stall turn, spin, fuel exhaustion, get there itis or the well known and documented causes of aviation fatalities then I fear for the future of those hanging on to this belief. Pilots need to step up every time they step foot on their airfield , ownership of the responsibility beats reading about the remedy hands down. YOU are the pilot,YOU have the responsibility. For all the new pilots out there, find a good mentor, or instructor, or fellow pilot, learn with an insatiable hunger as if your life depends on it, because it does! There are some fine examples of these people on this site but separate them from the protagonists and barrow pushers. Keep it simple, pure and safe and enjoy the experience that comes from the above, at the end of the day does anyone really believe they can blame any organization for their own safety? It,s a bit like drivers blaming the govt for the roads. I better stop now I may get this weeks Kevin award!
  21. Ballpoint 246niner
    I know of 2 of the latest that had less than 20 hrs brand new not reco that had top end related in flight failures, I relayed a mayday for one of them.
  22. Ballpoint 246niner
    I've got sun-mon off instructing so may be able to swap a day.... Well talk
  23. Ballpoint 246niner
    Out there today with a student Darbs, Phil in his Ch701 was also out banging some STOL ccts with us. Great place, great guys and far enough away from the coastal madness, see you there soon. I'll get you another contact if you have no luck...
  24. Ballpoint 246niner
    When you goin Puk? Love to drop in to toogoolwah, many happy memories.
  25. Ballpoint 246niner
    That's what we're talkin about PF- great read thx
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